Medical simulation system and method
Inventors
McIntyre, Jared • Brokke, Les • Orth, Chris • Taylor, Richard Troy
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10971036-B2
Publication Date
2021-04-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing medical simulation, and, in particular, for implementing medical simulation to simulate a medical instrument entering and maneuvering in a body of a person. A medical simulation system comprising a medical instrument detection unit, a medical instrument tracker unit, a braking unit may be provided. The medical simulation detection unit may determine when a medical instrument is interacting with the system. The tracking unit may track the movement and position of the medical instrument. The braking unit may be used to engage the medical instrument and simulate haptic effects. A medical simulation containment system for the medical simulation system may also be provided.
Core Innovation
A medical simulation system is described for simulating a medical instrument entering and maneuvering in a patient. The system includes medical instrument detection, medical instrument tracking, and a braking unit to apply friction to the medical instrument. Friction is used to contribute to haptic effects associated with the medical instrument’s interaction during simulation.
The system further includes an optical instrument detector with a light source and an instrument detector chamber opening. The optical instrument detector detects the medical instrument based on transmitted-light changes and is configured to drop debris. A medical instrument tracker unit determines translation, rotation, and/or orientation of the medical instrument by using a rotating ball and an optical sensor with a door.
The braking unit includes an electrical drive unit, a drive gear, a curved braking arm with a fulcrum, and a brake pad attached to the braking arm. The brake pad engages the medical instrument to apply friction, and the friction behavior is used in the medical simulation. A removably coupled bar can restrict backward travel of the braking arm, and the system coordinates simulation management including haptic rules and physics and graphics to generate real-time haptic effects.
Claims Coverage
The provided claim set includes one independent claim defining a braking unit for applying friction to a medical instrument in a medical simulation system. The main inventive features are refined in dependent claims by specifying the medical instrument as a catheter, defining friction effects as catheter behavior in a vein, and adding a removable bar to restrict backward travel.
Curved braking arm with fulcrum and brake pad for friction
A medical simulation system comprising a braking unit for applying friction to a medical instrument, wherein the braking unit comprises an electrical drive unit, a drive gear arranged for cooperation with the electrical drive unit, a curved braking arm having a first end and a second end with a fulcrum located on the second end opposite to the first end and drive wheel, and a brake pad attached to the braking arm which engages the medical instrument.
Catheter-specified friction simulation
The medical simulation system is configured so that the medical instrument is a catheter, and the braking unit friction is used to simulate catheter behavior.
Friction simulating catheter insertion, slip, or stop in a vein
When the brake pad engages the catheter, friction is applied to simulate at least one of insertion of the catheter into a vein, a slip of the catheter in the vein, or a stop of the catheter in the vein.
Removable bar to restrict backward travel of braking arm
The braking unit includes, a bar removably attached to the second end of a braking arm that prevents the braking arm from moving backward.
Across the provided independent and dependent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a braking unit that applies friction through a curved braking arm with a fulcrum and a brake pad driven by an electrical drive and drive gear. Dependent claims narrow the simulated medical instrument to a catheter, define the friction outcomes in terms of catheter insertion/slip/stop in a vein, and add a removable bar to restrict backward movement of the braking arm.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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